A 19th century oil painting, model buildings made by a doctor in the 1940s and contemporary artwork created by a former conservation architect feature in a nostalgic exhibition celebrating Newcastle-under-Lyme’s past.
Museum officers at the Brampton Museum have picked a selection of old photographs and works of art – produced by local artists and photographers – from collection stores to show how the borough has changed over time.
Visitors can view more than 100 model buildings of Newcastle town centre, including the
Guildhall and Lancaster Building, which were carved by Doctor Chris Giles for his children
while recovering from a long illness.
Among the items on display are original architectural drawings of landmarks by former
Whitmore resident Ronnie Cruwys. Her watercolour collection – purchased by the Friends
of Brampton Museum last year – captures life in the early 21 st century and includes various views of the town centre as well as Keele Bothies and Station Cottages in Baldwins Gate.
The exhibition also takes a look at former buildings such as the Almshouses in Bridge Street, Newcastle and Gothic cottages in Silverdale. Other areas covered include Madeley,
Wolstanton, Chesterton and Silverdale. “Capturing the Past” runs from 14 September until 3 November. Admission is free.
Cllr. Mark Holland, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said: “This is an
opportunity to take a trip down memory lane and see the borough through the eyes of local
creative people. The museum holds thousands of items like this, they capture the past at a
specific moment in time and have become important social and historical records. It’s a
powerful reminder that the world is constantly changing and nothing stays the same.”
Ronnie Cruwys, who now lives in Scotland, is attending an exhibition preview for the Friends of Brampton Museum at 2pm on Friday, 13 September.
**For more information, contact the Brampton Museum on 01782 619705.
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